Sky Broncos gain berth at national championship

Oct. 28, 2003

KALAMAZOO -- Nabbing nearly half of the available points at
a six-school competition, Western Michigan University's Sky Broncos
flew to resounding win at the Oct. 14-18 National Intercollegiate
Flying Association's Region III competition at Ohio University.
The win guarantees the team a berth at next April's national
championship in Tennessee.

The 14-member precision flight team from WMU's College of
Aviation captured 329 out of a possible 660 points at the event,
which was held at OU's regional airport in Albany, Ohio. The
WMU team's closest competitors, OU and Ohio State University,
finished with 129 and 112 points, respectively. Also competing
were the University of Cincinnati, Kent State University and
Andrews University.

NIFA regional and national competitions pit schools against
each other in five ground events and four flying events. Team
points are earned by competitors who place in the top 10 in each
of the events.

Sky Bronco Marc Kobaissi of Barrington, Ill., earned "top
pilot" honors at the event. Three of the other four finalists
for the award were his Sky Bronco teammates: Marshall Lynn of
Holly, Mich.; Ian Alexander of Grandville, Mich.; and Jelani
Kelley of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.

According to Head Coach Tom Grossman, the team did "an
awesome job" at the competition. He noted the team's point
total was close to the 336 points scored by WMU's 2001-02 team,
which went on to win the national championship in 2002.

The Region III win means the Sky Broncos have earned a berth
at the 2004 NIFA championship, which will be held next April
at Middle Tennessee State University in Murfreesboro, Tenn. WMU
aviation teams have placed in the top three in national competition
for 12 consecutive years.

The 2003-04 Sky Broncos are led by co-captains Ian Alexander,
an aviation flight science major from Grandville, Mich., and
Jelani Kelley, an aviation maintenance technology major from
Bloomfield Hills, Mich. Both Alexander and Kelley have been with
the team since the 2001-02 season.

2003-04 Sky Broncos

Ian Alexander of Grandville, Mich., is a 2001 graduate
of Grandville High School and is the son of Janice and Michael
Alexander. He is a junior, majoring in aviation flight science
and co-captain of the Sky Broncos. Alexander took second in the
computer accuracy, flight simulator and power-off landing events;
third in preflight inspection; fifth in the message drop; and
fourth in the top-pilot ranking.

Robbie Beechuk of Plymouth, Mich., is a 2001 graduate
of Detroit Catholic Central High School in Redford, Mich., and
the son of Lorraine and Daniel Beechuk of Plymouth. He is a junior
majoring in integrated supply matrix management. Beechuk took
fourth in aircraft recognition.

Andrew Drake, a 2000 graduate of Huron High School
in Ann Arbor, Mich., currently lives in Kalamazoo. He is the
son of Debra Nystrom and Thomas Drake of Chico, Calif., and is
a senior majoring in aviation flight science. Drake took first
in preflight inspection and third in the computer accuracy event.

Travis Epp of Clarklake, Mich., is a 2001 graduate
of Napoleon High School. He is the son of Jan Epp of Clarklake
and Rodger Epp of Howell, Mich., and is a junior majoring in
aviation flight science. Epp placed seventh in the computer accuracy
event.

Garrett Heinz of Birmingham, Mich., is a 2002 graduate
of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Mich., and is
the son of Joan and Warren Heinz. He is a freshman majoring in
aviation flight science. Heinz placed seventh in the simulated
comprehensive aircraft navigation event.

David Jackson of Carelton, Mich., is a 2000 graduate
of Airport High School and is the son of Sheryl Spencer and Dan
Jackson. He is a junior majoring in aviation flight science.
Jackson placed fifth in the computer accuracy event.

Mike Kalinski of Garden City, Mich., is a 2000 graduate
of Garden City High School and is the son of Barb and John Kalinski.
He is a senior majoring in aviation flight science.

Jelani Kelley of Bloomfield Hills, Mich., is a 2001
graduate of Lahser High School and the son of Carol and Marcus
Kelley. He is a junior majoring in aviation maintenance technology
and co-captain of the Sky Broncos. Kelley placed first in power-off
landings, third in aircraft recognition, seventh in short-field
landings. He took fifth in the top-pilot standings.

Marc Kobaissi of Barrington, Ill., is a 2000 graduate
of Barrington High School and is the son of Barbara and Hassan
Kobaissi. He is a senior majoring in aviation flight science.
Kobaissi took first in the flight simulation and aircraft recognition
events, second in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation
and navigation events, and fourth in short-field landings and
power-off landings. He was recognized as "Top Pilot"
at the competition.

Justin Lipka of Ira, Mich., is a 2001 graduate of Anchor
Bay High School in New Baltimore, Mich. He is the son of Debby
Lipka and is a junior majoring in aviation flight science. Lipka
placed fifth in the flight simulation event.

Marshall Lynn of Holly, Mich., is a 2000 graduate of
St. Mary's Prep School in Orchard Lake, Mich. He is the son of
Therese and Dwight Lynn and is a senior majoring in aviation
flight science. Lynn placed first in navigation, second in aircraft
recognition and short-field landings, third in power-off landings,
and 10th in the message drop. He captured second place in the
top-pilot standings.

Jonathan Pridgeon of Montgomery, Mich., is a 2001 graduate
of Reading (Mich.) High School. The son of Diane and Mike Pridgeon,
he is a senior majoring in aviation flight science. Pridgeon
placed fifth in the aircraft recognition event.

Amanda Renouf of Whitehall, Mich., is the daughter
of Marj and Jerry Renouf. A home-schooled student before college,
she is currently a senior in aviation flight science. Renouf
placed third in the simulated comprehensive aircraft navigation
event.

Aaron Trombley of Medford, N.J., is a 1995 graduate
of Shawnee High School and is the son of Joyce and Eugene Trombley.
He is a senior majoring in aviation flight science. Trombley
placed first in computer accuracy, second in preflight inspection,
sixth in short-field landings and navigation, and seventh in
power-off landings.